Look out the window

This was the devotion I read today and I just wanted to share it.

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Here’s an interesting fact about American church history that you may not know. Years ago, when the first New England churches were designed, they were built with clear windows rather than the stained glass ones we see so often today -- and the graveyard was usually built in the churchyard, which would normally be seen from the pulpit. Why?

It was so that the pastor could see the graveyard while he preached and be reminded of the urgency of his message! It was so he could be reminded that everyone who sat in the pews before him as he spoke, would eventually fill a place in that cemetery outside the window and ultimately have to stand before God to be judged. Can you imagine?

Back then, the first and foremost priority of the church was to bring men and women into a right relationship with the Lord. What’s happened to us that we’ve started building churches with windows you can’t see through!?

There is a harvest outside! Let’s uncloud our windows and give ourselves to the work that needs to be done! Let’s make a commitment to share the good news with someone today!

Amen!!

Great Day!

Today was a great day at Calvary Road Baptist. Our children performed their Christmas Program and they did a great job. We had 120 in attendance which is the second highest total we've ever had. (The highest was on March 4th of this year when we had 145 for our "transition week" when Pastor Sheffield retired) We also had a baptism after the morning service. Aaron Scoles got saved on December 3rd and came for baptism. It's always good to see young people follow the Lord in believer's baptism.
Coming up on December 31st is our annual "Watchnight Service" when we pray OUT the old year and pray IN the new year. Services will begin at 8 p.m. Josh McKinley, Seth Sheffield, Pastor Sheffield, Richard Howard, and Randy O'Brien will all be speaking and we will be having a pitch-in dinner. We will be starting a new annual tradition this year with a video yearbook. Every year we will make a video with pictures and video clips from church activities of that year. I'm sure the picture of Brother Henson in the blonde wig will make it's way in the video. lol

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

This month will be a busy one at Calvary Road Baptist (as are most months lately). The ladies will be having their annual Christmas Ladies Meeting on Saturday the 8th. (1:30 - 4:00 p.m.), the Men's Prayer Breakfast will be on the 15th, the Children's Christmas Program will be Sunday Morning (11 a.m.) on the 16th, Evangelist Bob Hamblin will be with us on the 19th, (6:30 p.m.), and finally we will be having our watch night service on the 31st (8:00 - Midnight). whew, catch your breath after reading all that.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the "spirit" of Christmas, that we easily forget the "reason" for Christmas. I know, I know, you've heard this speach before, but now, more than ever, we need to be reminded that Christmas is not about presents, but about a Person - Jesus Christ.

This Christmas will be the first one since my uncle Gary passed away. My uncle and I were very close for many years and I know that he is now getting to celebrate Christ's birthday with Christ Himself. Praise the Lord! Aside from the sadness of having Christmas this year without uncle Gary, I'm very excited because I drew my grandma's name for Christmas and I got her the perfect gift. She never gets online so I can share it here.(but if anyone tells her, you'll answer to me) She is a lifelong Kentucky basketball fan and I happened to luck into two tickets for the Kentucky vs. Louisville game in January. She is only getting one of those tickets (she doesn't get a choice - I'm going to the game with her). Not only am I looking forward to giving this gift to her and seeing her face when she opens it, but I'm also excited about spending the day with her in Lexington at the game. My grandma has been one of the most positive influence's in my life. I know I would not be a Pastor today if it were not for her. It has been very difficult for her since my uncle passed away and hopefully (at least for one day) she'll be able to enjoy herself.

Great day

We had another great day here at Calvary Road Baptist Church yesterday as our Pastor Emeritus, Wade Sheffield, preached during the morning service. We had a family of 4 join the church and many came to the altar during the invitation. The family that joined (John, Denise, Dustin, and Kayla Abbott) comes to us from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hanover, Indiana. They recently moved to New Albany and I believe they will be a great addition to the church.

If you haven't been attending our Sunday Evening services I want to encourage you to join with us as we continue with our series of lessons focusing on the family. "Hook, Line, and Sinker" is the title of the series and if you have missed these lessons I believe you have missed a blessing. I am working on getting the series of lessons put on cd's that we can hopefully make available once the series is complete.

This coming Sunday we will have a special guest with us. Bro. Roy Trimble, formerly of the Southern Gospel Quartet 'The Cathedrals' will be with us during the evening service. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Check out my latest additon from The Pastor's Desk

November 21, 2007

Well this past Sunday was a great day. We had two Bapitized (both recently saved) and another (Ron Dixon) joined our church family. We had 91 in attendance which is a great number for us. We also had several who were out for a variety of reasons. Tonight will be the first sermon for Josh McKinley and Seth Sheffield. We should have a great crowd tonight and I hope you are one of them. I know that it will be a great encouragment to these two young men if the church was full tonight.

Here is a funny video that a fellow pastor (thanks Dave) posted on his blog awhile back and if you've ever counseled anyone you will understand how he feels.

November 16, 2007

Today I had the opportunity to preach at a funeral for a longtime family friend. Although it was a sad thing to see him go, there were 9 souls saved at the funeral. PRAISE THE LORD!!! It is so awesome to see God use the foolishness of preaching to see people get saved. Sunday will be a big day here at Calvary Road Baptist Church. We will be having two people baptized (Tonya George and her son Allen) as well as having our annual Thanksgiving Dinner after the morning service. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Welcome

Welcome to the blog of Pastor Mike Kleitz from Calvary Road Baptist Church in New Albany, Indiana. I will periodically post here to update you on the goings on at Calvary Road Baptist. I hope you find this blog enjoyable and helpful. I will write more later, I'm just hoping to actually figure this out and get it posted for now.